Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
National
Ethan James

Tasmanian man tried to set partner on fire

A has been jailed after choking his partner and trying to set her on fire in a decade of violence. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

A Tasmanian man who tried to set his partner alight and choked her until she blacked out has been sentenced to six years' jail for family violence spanning a decade.

The man, 30, who hasn't been named to protect the identity of his former partner, earlier pleaded guilty to persistent family violence.

His "on and off" relationship with the woman began in 2011, the same year he tried to set her on fire in a drunken and jealous rage after she spoke to another man at a party.

He dragged her into a car and drove to their home, where he poured fuel over her face and body and tried to set her alight.

She escaped into a house but was locked inside. He doused a surfboard in fuel and threatened to burn the house down.

"She was understandably terrified," Justice Michael Brett told the Supreme Court in Hobart during sentencing on Tuesday.

Justice Brett said the outcome would have been "undoubtedly catastrophic" had the man succeeded.

In 2011, the man kicked an alcohol bottle at the woman, giving her a swollen black eye.

At the 2014 celebration of her sister's birthday at a pub, he swung a steel pole at her, almost hitting her in the face.

In 2019, he stomped on the woman's head in an argument over drugs and in another altercation grabbed her by the head and held her face in the carpet so she couldn't breathe.

During an argument two years later he choked her when she tried to call police, causing her to black out.

She regained consciousness and tried to run away but was again choked to the point of unconsciousness. She was choked a third time after she woke again.

Justice Brett said the woman felt like she was going to die.

"This continues to traumatise her," he said.

Justice Brett said the man, who he described as having a difficult childhood and a significant problem with alcohol and drugs, was regretful with the benefit of reflection.

Justice Brett said several instances of violence were witnessed by the couple's child.

The man was sentenced to six years' jail with a non-parole period of three years and six months backdated to when he was taken into custody in 2021.

The jail term was increased to a maximum of six years and four months, with a non-parole period of three years and 10 months, because of family violence order breaches.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.